The Spring Gardens Moravian Church in Antigua became a national gathering place this week as citizens from all walks of life united to honor the extraordinary legacy of Genevieve Catilda Smith, universally known as ‘Teacher Gen.’ The revered educator and foster mother received an official state funeral attended by Prime Minister Gaston Browne, government officials, clergy members, and countless former students whose lives she transformed.
Smith’s remarkable 90-year journey exemplified selfless service through dual vocations: revolutionary educator and compassionate caregiver. Her innovative teaching methods—incorporating movement, song, and rhythm—pioneered inclusive education decades before such approaches became mainstream. She specialized in nurturing students others had dismissed as ‘unteachable,’ demonstrating unwavering belief in every child’s potential.
Beyond the classroom, Smith’s home operated as a sanctuary for vulnerable youth. She formally fostered over 60 children and provided informal care to countless others escaping abuse, neglect, or poverty. Her household operated under two non-negotiable principles: education and faith. When space ran out, she creatively arranged housing with neighbors while covering all expenses personally.
Her humanitarian impact expanded regionally during the Montserrat volcanic crisis, when she opened her doors to displaced families without hesitation. Deeply rooted in her Moravian faith, Smith continued teaching adult literacy classes well into her eighties while maintaining her own passionate pursuit of knowledge, frequently returning from book ships with bags overflowing with reading materials.
The funeral service beautifully reflected the multidimensional nature of her contributions through scripture, original music performed by her son Rev. Dr. Olson Patmore Smith, and poetic tributes from her granddaughter Janora Smith-Kellman. In her eulogy, daughter Rev. Denise Smith-Lewis portrayed a woman who lived her faith through quiet action rather than public recognition.
Clergy members appropriately characterized Smith as a ‘nation builder’ whose true legacy resides not in official titles but in generations of children she steadied—who themselves became parents, professionals, and community leaders. As the procession concluded at Floretta Gardens Cemetery in her native Potters village, the nation was left with Teacher Gen’s enduring lessons: that love always makes room, discipline harmonizes with compassion, and a single dedicated life can educate an entire nation.